2025 Poster Session

Egg tempera paintings are particularly susceptible to various degradation processes, including cracking, flaking, and discoloration, primarily attributed to biological factors. To address these issues, surface consolidation techniques have been employed, relying on materials with adhesive properties to stabilize the paint layers. This study evaluates the performance of both conventional and nanocomposite consolidants on weakened archaeological egg tempera paint layers. The objective is to identify suitable materials that effectively reinforce the paint layer without compromising the artwork's integrity.

Six consolidates were applied to experimental samples, including Paraloid B72, Gelatin, and Funori, and their respective nanocomposites incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles treated samples underwent accelerated aging testing, including exposure to thermal and ultraviolet radiation, to evaluate their long-term stability. The samples were comprehensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), and colorimetric analysis.

The results demonstrate that polymer/TiO2 nanocomposites exhibit superior performance as consolidants for egg tempera paint layers. These materials enhance the durability of the paint layer against accelerated aging while preserving the icon's aesthetic qualities compared to their polymer-only counterparts.

Keywords:

Consolidation, tempera, paint layers, Paraloid B72/TiO2, Gelatin/ TiO2, and Funori/ TiO2 nanocomposites.